One day after being placed on waivers, and two days after being shopped around to NHL teams, Mark Streit has cleared waivers.
Mark Streit cleared waivers.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 13, 2017
The 39-year-old clearing waivers is not surprising. Most teams have their roster set and it could be argued that more enticing options have already cleared.
Streit was then sent to the Laval Rocket of the AHL, but due to his veteran status, it is unlikely he will play in many games. The Rocket now have two veterans (three, now that David Schlemko is on a conditioning stint) too many, meaning that three need to sit every game.
Les Canadiens ont cédé le défenseur Mark Streit au Rocket de Laval aujourd’hui./Canadiens loaned defenseman Mark Streit to the Rocket today.
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) October 13, 2017
Now that he is in the AHL, the Habs can bury the remainder of his $700,000 salary as he’s on the first (and only) year of a new contract as a 35+ player. Only the handful of days he was on the NHL roster to start the season will count against the salary cap.
Streit was brought in as defensive depth in case the team needed an additional defenceman on the power play. However, the emergence of Victor Mete and progression of Jakub Jerabek in the AHL as well as Streit’s underwhelming play put him well down on the depth chart.
